Aerospace Machine Tools Market – Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Machine Type (Milling, Turning, and Others), By Axis Type (5-Axis, 3/4-Axis, and Others), By Aircraft Type (Civil Aircraft and Military Aircraft), By Region & Competition, 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 3.43 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	6.94%
Fastest Growing Segment	5-Axis
Largest Market	North America
Market Size (2031)	USD 5.13 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Aerospace Machine Tools Market will grow from USD 3.43 Billion in 2025 to USD 5.13 Billion by 2031 at a 6.94% CAGR. Aerospace machine tools are specialized manufacturing systems, including CNC milling and drilling units, utilized to fabricate precise aircraft components from metals and composite materials. The market growth is fundamentally driven by the surging demand for new commercial aircraft to accommodate rising passenger traffic and the necessity to replace aging fleets with fuel-efficient alternatives. Additionally, robust defense budgets worldwide stimulate the production of military aviation assets, further bolstering the requirement for these manufacturing systems. According to the Japan Machine Tool Builders’ Association, in April 2024, orders from the aircraft, shipbuilding, and transport equipment sector rose by 51.4 percent compared to the previous month, indicating strong industrial momentum.

Despite this positive trajectory, a significant challenge impeding market expansion is the persistent shortage of skilled operators and technicians capable of managing complex machining operations. This workforce gap restricts production capacity and limits the ability of manufacturers to meet the escalating delivery schedules effectively.

Key Market Drivers

The Surge in Global Air Travel and Commercial Aircraft Production Rates acts as a primary catalyst for the aerospace machine tools market. As major original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and their supply chains ramp up manufacturing lines to accommodate renewed passenger demand, the requirement for heavy-duty precision milling and turning centers to produce complex engine components and structural parts has intensified. This production scaling is directly visible in the output figures of leading aerospace entities. According to Airbus, January 2025, in the 'Airbus reports 766 commercial aircraft deliveries in 2024' press release, the manufacturer delivered 766 commercial aircraft throughout 2024, underscoring the sustained pressure on supply chains to deliver hardware. This high manufacturing tempo translates specifically into increased equipment investment. According to the Japan Machine Tool Builders’ Association, November 2024, in the 'Monthly Machine Tool Orders' report, orders from the aircraft, shipbuilding, and transport equipment sector rose by 18.9 percent in October 2024 compared to the previous month, reflecting the immediate responsiveness of the machine tool market to escalating production targets.

Simultaneously, the Integration of Industry 4.0 and Smart Manufacturing Technologies is significantly reshaping procurement strategies within the sector. Faced with strict tolerance requirements and a need to maximize uptime, manufacturers are increasingly acquiring automated and connected machining systems that offer predictive maintenance and higher throughput capabilities. This technological shift towards automation is driving substantial capital expenditure, particularly as companies seek to mitigate workforce constraints. According to AMT - The Association For Manufacturing Technology, August 2024, in the 'U.S. Manufacturing Technology Orders Report', the aerospace sector increased orders in the first half of 2024 to the highest number of units since the first half of 2018, highlighting the robust adoption of these advanced manufacturing solutions to enhance operational efficiency.

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Key Market Challenges

The persistent shortage of skilled operators and technicians constitutes a substantial barrier to the expansion of the global aerospace machine tools market. Aerospace manufacturing involves strict standards and complex specifications that require experienced personnel to effectively program and oversee machinery. When manufacturers lack a sufficient workforce, they face operational bottlenecks that prevent them from utilizing their equipment to full capacity. This labor gap directly results in extended production lead times and limits the ability of suppliers to fulfill the growing backlog of commercial and defense aircraft orders efficiently.

The severity of this workforce deficit is evident in recent industry assessments regarding the wider manufacturing base. According to the National Association of Manufacturers, in the first quarter of 2024, approximately 65 percent of manufacturing leaders identified the inability to attract and retain employees as their primary business challenge. This widespread difficulty in securing essential talent restricts manufacturers from scaling operations to meet rising consumption. Consequently, the disparity between available machine capacity and the skilled labor required to operate it slows overall market revenue growth.

Key Market Trends

The Transition to Sustainable and Energy-Efficient Machining Practices is becoming a defining movement within the sector, driven by stringent environmental regulations and the need to reduce Scope 3 emissions in the aerospace supply chain. Manufacturers are increasingly prioritizing machine tools equipped with energy-saving modes, regenerative braking systems, and capabilities for dry or minimum quantity lubrication to minimize waste and power consumption. This shift is not merely regulatory but strategic, as companies align their manufacturing footprints with broader corporate net-zero goals. According to Protolabs, June 2024, in the 'Aerospace Manufacturing in 2024' report, 65.33 percent of industry respondents identified sustainability as their definitive top business focus for the year, surpassing traditional concerns such as supply chain management and skilled labor recruitment.

Simultaneously, the Integration of Hybrid Additive-Subtractive Manufacturing Systems is gaining traction as a solution to handle expensive materials like titanium and nickel-based superalloys more efficiently. By combining the deposition capabilities of 3D printing with the precision finishing of CNC machining in a single setup, these hybrid units allow for the repair of high-value components such as turbine blades and the fabrication of complex geometries with significantly reduced material waste. This technology is particularly critical for maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) operations where extending the lifecycle of tooling and parts is essential. According to AM Chronicle, January 2024, in the 'Additive Manufacturing Industry News' update, the United States Air Force awarded a $1.9 million grant to Youngstown State University specifically to investigate and advance the repair process for tooling using this hybrid additive-subtractive process technology.

Segmental Insights

The 5-Axis segment represents the fastest-growing category within the Global Aerospace Machine Tools Market, driven by the critical need for precision in manufacturing complex aircraft components. Manufacturers increasingly prioritize these tools for their ability to machine intricate geometries, such as turbine blades and structural frames, in a single setup. This capability significantly reduces production lead times and minimizes error, ensuring strict adherence to airworthiness standards enforced by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Additionally, the compatibility of 5-axis technology with advanced lightweight materials supports the sector's strategic focus on fuel efficiency, further propelling market expansion.

Regional Insights

North America maintains a dominant position in the global aerospace machine tools market, primarily driven by the presence of major original equipment manufacturers and a vast defense industrial base. The region experiences sustained demand for high-precision manufacturing equipment to support substantial commercial and military aircraft production schedules. Additionally, significant capital allocation by the U.S. Department of Defense toward next-generation air superiority programs directly stimulates the procurement of advanced tooling systems. This established industrial ecosystem, combined with strict manufacturing standards, secures North America’s role as the leading regional market for aerospace machining solutions.

Recent Developments

• In December 2025, Okuma America Corporation announced a strategic partnership with Air Turbine Technology to integrate governed high-speed spindle solutions into its CNC machining centers. This collaboration enables operators to utilize the main machine spindle for heavy roughing operations and automatically switch to an auxiliary high-speed turbine spindle for fine finishing and micro-drilling tasks. The initiative is specifically aimed at high-precision sectors such as aerospace and defense, where component accuracy and surface finish are critical. The company stated that this integration would allow manufacturers to significantly reduce cycle times and extend the life of cutting tools during the production of complex aerospace components.
• In November 2024, DMG MORI showcased the second generation of its LASERTEC 3000 DED hybrid machine at the JIMTOF exhibition. This advanced manufacturing system integrates laser metal deposition with subtractive machining capabilities, allowing for the repair and coating of large, complex components such as those found in aircraft engines. The company emphasized that this hybrid technology supports the aerospace sector's "green transformation" by consolidating processes and reducing energy consumption. The machine features enhanced spindle power and automation capabilities, designed to improve flexibility and precision for manufacturers producing long workpieces and high-value aerospace parts.
• In November 2024, Makino launched the AML900, a new advanced laser metal deposition machine, during the Formnext exhibition in Frankfurt. Developed to bridge the gap between prototype development and full-scale manufacturing, the AML900 features enhanced process monitoring and automated in-process calibration systems. The company positioned this launch as a solution for the aerospace industry's need for stable, scalable, and high-precision additive manufacturing of complex metal parts. Makino also announced the establishment of a new Additive Manufacturing Service Bureau to support clients in optimizing these technologies for industrial production and integrating them into existing workflows.
• In March 2024, Starrag announced the debut of its new STC1250 HD horizontal machining center, specifically engineered for the rigorous demands of the aerospace industry. The company designed this machine to deliver exceptional economy and precision when machining heavy-duty structural parts made from difficult materials like titanium and Inconel. Starrag highlighted that the STC1250 HD is capable of reducing cycle times by approximately 30 percent compared to previous benchmarks, setting a new standard for heavy machining efficiency. Alongside this launch, the company also introduced the Droop+Rein FOGS HD, a six-axis overhead gantry machining center tailored for processing large aerospace components.

Key Market Players

• Yamazaki Mazak Corporation
• DMG MORI CO., LTD
• Makino Inc
• DN Solutions Co., Ltd.
• Fives SAS
• GF Machining Solutions Management SA
• Okuma Corporation
• StarragTornos Group AG
• JTEKT Corporation

By Machine Type	By Axis Type	By Aircraft Type	By Region
Milling Turning and Others	5-Axis 3/4-Axis and Others	Civil Aircraft and Military Aircraft	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Aerospace Machine Tools Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• Aerospace Machine Tools Market, By Machine Type:

• Milling
• Turning
• and Others

• Aerospace Machine Tools Market, By Axis Type:

• 5-Axis
• 3/4-Axis
• and Others

• Aerospace Machine Tools Market, By Aircraft Type:

• Civil Aircraft and Military Aircraft

• Aerospace Machine Tools Market, By Region:

• North America
• United States
• Canada
• Mexico
• Europe
• France
• United Kingdom
• Italy
• Germany
• Spain
• Asia Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• Australia
• South Korea
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Colombia
• Middle East & Africa
• South Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE